Paulin Pierre naturalizes for Indonesia

Cameroonian Bio Paulin Pierre, 30, a player for Persipura Jayapura, joins the list of naturalized soccer players following the government’s consent to his request to become an Indonesian citizen.

“The President signed his consent to my request on February 23 and I will take an oath on March 23 in Jayapura,” Pierre said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Pierre was born in Nanga Eboko, Cameroon, on April 15, 1984. He had to be in Indonesia for three years before his request for citizenship could be granted. “I already can memorize the Indonesia Raya anthem and Pancasila,” he said, referring to the state ideology.

Pierre first played for Mitra Kukar in 2006 before joining Persipura in 2007.

He helped Persipura to the Indonesia Super League championship in 2008, 2009 and 2013. The club finished second behind Persib Bandung last year.

“I have lived in Indonesia for a long time. I like the Indonesian soccer competition, as well as the food,” he said.

Other naturalized players include Christian Gonzales, who was originally from Uruguay, Irfan Bachdin (Netherlands), Greg Nwokolo (Nigeria), Victor Igbonefo (Nigeria), Stefano Jantje Lilipaly (Netherlands), Jhonny Rudolf Van Beukering (Netherlands) and Tonie Harry Cusell (Netherlands).